Stormwater
Protecting People, Property & Our Environment
To report illicit discharges in the City of Westminster, email the Stormwater Hotline.
The City of Westminster manages two stormwater basins:
- Big Dry Creek: Precipitation north of 92nd Avenue flows to Big Dry Creek
- Little Dry Creek: Precipitation south of 92nd Avenue flows to Little Dry Creek
Westminster partners with the Mile High Flood District area for mitigation and maintenance projects throughout the area.
Stormwater is the collective term used for precipitation once it hits the ground. Stormwater includes rain, hail or snow that is either absorbed into the ground, captured in a retention pond or flows into waterways. Although rain and snow is always welcome in our semi-arid climate, stormwater can become an environmental problem when it lands on our city's non-absorbent surfaces, such as roads, sidewalks and parking lots. That's because the runoff sends dirt, debris, oil and other pollutants into our creeks and rivers. Unlike sanitary sewers that go to a treatment plant, stormwater is not treated before discharging into the environment.
How You Can Help Keep Our Waterways Clean
Ways you can help us reduce stormwater pollution:
- Clean up after yourself and your pets to prevent unnecessary products and pollutants from going down the storm drains. Learn more here.
- Attend one of the stream cleanup events the City hosts throughout the year. See what's scheduled on the City Events calendar.
- Attend a meeting for or learn more about the Environmental Advisory Board.
- Adopt a street to clean up trash and other pollutants that end up in our waterways.
- Be on the lookout for opportunities to contribute to and create storm drain art.
Limit Salt & Ice Melt Use In Winter
As snow and ice melts, it carries excess salt and other chemicals into our waterways, which can harm the environment Please consider using waterway-safe salt alternatives or minimizing use of salt or ice melt by clearing the area of snow and ice before applying ice melt products.